ⓒ iStockPhoto - sjlocke

Halloween is yet another hurdle one has to maneuver regarding food allergies.   It can be “tricky” but it is important to have a plan that covers school parties, trick or treating and beyond.  In order to make this celebration a not-so- scary one, check out a few of these suggestions.

School Parties

• Attend the party to insure proper safety.
• If you can’t be there, speak with the teacher in advance.  Bring in safe snacks that your child can eat.
• If you don’t want your child to feel left out by eating something entirely different, you can provide a safe snack for the entire class instead.  (Check out Dr. Lucy’s cookies, www.drlucys.com).  Each individually wrapped package comes with three cookies and is very tasty.
• If you are friendly with any of the other parents, encourage them to bring in safe snacks, i.e. apples, grapes etc.
• If the class receives goody bags, encourage room parents, and/or the teacher to fill them with small prizes instead of candy/food.  Pencils, erasers, small activity books, key chains all make great gifts.  (continue reading…)
  

©iStockPhoto.com - Ahmad Hamoudah

Back to school activity/preparation was somewhat bittersweet for me this year as my five-year-old (a.k.a my baby), trotted off to kindergarten.  I simply dreaded it.  In fact, I think I cried when the back-to-school Staples commercials began airing in August.  Nonetheless, we encourage our children to achieve these milestones, so, I suppose we can’t complain when they actually do it.  Like most parents, I was plagued with the standard questions such as; will he like it or not?  Will he make friends?  How will he cope in such a big environment?  However, since my child suffers from food allergies, the questions were even more complicated.  Who gets the Epi-Pen? Is there a food policy? How can I keep my child safe?

Food allergies are very daunting, especially when you have no daily control over your child’s environment.  This is where a plan is integral to your child’s safety and your piece of mind.  Since school has already started, you may have done many of these already…but just to be safe, review this list and make sure you have covered all your bases. (continue reading…)

ⓒ iStockPhoto - sjlocke

Thanks to GreenHalloween.org, the green Halloween movement has been growing every year.

This year Green Halloween and Kiwi Magazine have joined together and started something new.

National Costume Swap Day.

What is National Costume Swap Day?

It’s a day for friends, families, organizations or communities to get together, gather up old Halloween costumes and accessories that no longer fit or are no longer wanted and swap them with other people for new costumes. (continue reading…)

ⓒ iStockPhoto - gmnicholas

It’s a school night and you are cleaning out your child’s lunchbox so it’s ready to go in the morning, only to realize that almost none of it was eaten. Some days it may feel pointless packing your child a lunch at all. The problem is that lunchtime is also playtime at school. Lunch needs to be a non-fussy affair so kids can get on with the business of playing with friends. Really, they don’t eat; they graze. Therefore, the lunches that get eaten are both appealing and easy to eat. Think “quick, healthy eats”, and offer a variety each day, and you will see a difference. Your success rate will be even higher if you go shopping with your child and have them help in the selection process. They will be emotionally invested in the choices they make, and the lunchbox will come back emptier (if not completely empty).

Finger food is king in the lunchbox world. Begin with a hearty main dish, such as a wrap. The outside wrapper can be a tortilla or flavored wrap, or try an Asian Fusion version, using a rice wrapper to hold the ingredients together. Fill with your favorite protein option, such as tofu strips, shrimp or chicken strips, topped with thinly-sliced cucumber, carrots, chopped lettuce and sprouts. Another easy option is a burrito filled with beans and cheese and topped with extras, such as avocado. (continue reading…)

An occupational therapist at Packard Children’s Hospital shows parents what we need to consider when choosing a backpack that won’t cause back aches or injury.

ⓒ iStockPhoto - blueclue

It’s every parent’s nightmare: a ten-hour long plane ride with young children, or a glorious plane/train/automobile combo that’s guaranteed to leave everyone exhausted. No, it’s probably not going to be your best or easiest day, but here are five ways you can make your trip less troublesome than you’d expect:

Lower your Expectations

As a parent, you’re used to trying to get your kids to behave their best, whine less, and not pick their noses in public. When you’re traveling a distance though, you need to remind yourself that everyone’s out of their element, likely tired, and not at their best. Especially you, since you’ve probably been packing and planning for days and agonizing over making sure you’ve remembered everything you need.

Make it easy on yourself and just remember that as long as your plane doesn’t crash, you’re golden. It doesn’t matter if the kids are overtired or have too much soda on the plane. Eventually, you’ll get home and the wine will be free. (continue reading…)